Water, apple juice, sweet tea are all they have been feeding on. One of them, too weak, was forced by doctors to refuel.

“It’s not pleasure that I starve myself,” said 30-year old Fatou Ambassa, fasting in memory of her cousin..

“There were several soldiers. They raped her in front of her parents. That was in 2003, she was 16 years old, they left her to die,” Ambassa added.

Four of them claim to have been raped by soldiers in their country several years ago. Before taking refuge in France or Belgium, they lived in areas which the FRUD Afar rebel movement has been operating for 25 years.

Spokesperson of the group Aisha Dabale said doctors in the country are even afraid of issuing medical certificates attesting to the rapes.

“People are afraid practices would be closed. There are tremendous pressures and therefore if we talk about the assault of a soldier, no doctor wants to testify, “ said Dabale

The women also demand the opening of an international investigation and seeking recognition of rape as a war crime.

A few days before the presidential election in Djibouti, due to be held April 8, 2016, they hope their action will be noticed.